Bed for playing-tables.



J. H. ADAMS. BED r'on PLAYING mus.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.I1| 19H.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES HOPKINS ADAMSQOF KEN SIN GTON, MARYLAND.

BED FOR PLAYING-TABLES.

Application filed August17, 1914. Serial No. 857,186.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown thatiI, J Arms H. .ADAMS, citizen of the United "States, residing at, Ken sington, in the county of Montgoineryand State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful. Improvements in Beds for Playing-Tables, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing; 7

This invention relates to an improved bed for playing tables, and more particularly to that class of playing tables, wherein a smooth, hard, even surface is requlred and over which balls or pro ectiles are played.

Heretofore in the art of table beds of, this character'it has been'usual to formthem of slate slabs, and while 1t has been suggested in numerous instances lIGI'QtOIOlQ t0 fOlll'lv these beds of cement or cement compositions and to provide such structures with reinforcements, as far 'as I have been able to ascertain a satlsfactory composition bed has not heretofore been produced.

Anessential in a bed for playing tables is that of smoothness and hardness so, that its surface will not be endangered upon the dropping of the ball or other object thereon, a close union of joints, and a maintenance of the perfectly level accurate playing surface.

The object of my present invention is the production of a composition bed for playing tables which willpossess the character-' istics of strength and rigidity, substantially perfect in the maintenance of the proper level playing surface, easily associated, cheaply produced as compared with the usual form of table surfaces and one wherein in the general construction of the supporting frame or frame work the major portion of the usual fabricated structure may be dispensed with. a

I have, in the accompanying drawings, shown an embodiment of the invention and have as heretofore stated referred to the invention asbeing one designed for a table playing bed. It is to be understood, however, that the invention can be employed with great satisfaction in the art of playing boards and also in other analogous arts.

, I also wish it understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to all thedetails and special arrangements shown and described as modifications and changes in the arrangement of parts can be made without departing'from the nature and principle or its equivalent.

Specification of Letters Patent. 7 Patented hIal. 19,1918;

of the invention and-which may come Well":

withinthe range of mechanical equavalents.

1 of the features shown.

I For. convenience Ihave illustrated the invention as applicable to abilliard table surface and have shown the bed disassociated from the supporting legs or frame. It is to be understood that any convenient design or form of supportmg frame may be employed. v In the drawings Figure l is a plan view ofthe bed showing the surrounding frame in its finally ad-i JHStQClJJOSItIOIl;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through one I V of the joint portions of the bed, and

Fig 5 is a detail section of a modification.

In the production of the table bed a coni venient method of procedure is that of form-.

ing the bed in section, although the present invention is not necessarily limited in certain aspects to a sectional bed.

In Fig. 1 the sections A, B and C are rep resented as being surrounded by the framework D. For the purposes of this specifica tion,the section .Awill be referred to, it being understood that'the other sections are substantially the same in their general construction. In building up and forming the sections a suitablefmold is employed having conveniently a plate glass bottom.

be mixed with the fluid to form an emulsion and the cement or composition thoroughly impregnated or mixed therewith. This meterial after being placed in the mold on the smooth glass base will when set, constitute a perfectly smooth, hard finenon-hygroscopic surface for the table bed, The slab' V then built up by adding thereto the ordinary cement composition a until the required thickness, conveniently two to two and one-half inches, more or less, is secured.

Duringtheformation of the slab and to add rigidity to the upper face thereof, a wire mesh a is embedded in the material. The slab is formed'at its inner edge with an overlapping top part A for purposes presently to be described. The outer edges of the slab are, during the process of moldin formed with a rabbet, as at a the same entering a short distance below the top of the slab for purposes presently to be stated.

The center slab B is made substantially the same as the outer slab A, with the exception that the rabbet 0a is formed at the ends only and the overlapping portions A are made respectively on the top portion at one edge and the bottom portion, as at A onrthe other edge, as shown in Fig. 2. The three slabs A, B and C, after being constructed in accordance with the method of procedure referred to in the description of the formation of the slab A are assembled, as shown inFig. 2, with adjacent parts or projecting portions overlapping. This isimportant 1nasmuch as the joints are by this means supported and held in proper relative position. To support the slabs in the frame D and to. lock the same in close relation with each other, as well as to give reinforcedst-rength to the cement I conveniently extend through each slab, tubes E, the same extending crosswise laterally and longitudinally. lateral tubes E are so positioned in the esment that the upper longitudinal tubes will rest thereagainst, thereby forming when in position, a very rigid reinforcement the entire reaches of which when the bed is assembled will find support by the shorter reinforced tubes E as clearly shown in Fig. 3. These tubes terminate at the edges of the slab and for supporting and uniting purposes cylindrical bars F are extended through the tubes, their ends projecting through the side frame members D and are there threaded to receive nuts F which are conveniently positioned in countersunk recesses f of the surrounding frame. The parts being properly assembled, the slabs are tightly drawn together by tightening the nuts on the supporting bars F, and owing to the fact that the supporting bars are extended into the surrounding frame the entire bed structure is thus built up, the slabs being supported by the reinforcing support- .ing bars and their associated tubes and a substantially perfect playing surface is thus presented. It has been ascertained that a table bed built in accordance with the above description will be highly satisfactory, but as a precaution against the chipping or breaking of the edges or corners of the upper portion of the cement surface, a metal curbing or edging G may be employed. This metal curbing or edge protector is conveniently a strip of steel or other suitable metal which is embedded in the edge of the cement slab having anchoring points The 9, g embedded in the body of the slab, as shown in Fig. 4.

I desire it understood that any convenient form of anchorage may be employed, but the one shown is sufficient to indicate the general way of securing the metal strips in place. It will be observed that these metal protecting strips are extended around the corners and that if found desirable this feature may be carried into other parts of the slabs, thus protecting the edges of the playing surface should the slabs be transported or shipped.

The two protecting metal strips G are so finished that their upper edges come in direct surface alinem'ent with the playing surface of the table bed, thus forming in fact a continuityof the playing surface.

It has also been found convenient to place a reinforcing bar H in the projecting lower overlapping portion of the slabs, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In some tables, however, this may be omitted.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings the reinforcing supporting and clamping rods F are shown and used without the employment of the metal tubes E. An advantage of the metal tube arrangement is that in drawing the supporting rods in or out, there is no tendency to enlarge the rod'receiving passage or hole in the cement and the table is thereby accurately adjusted. It has been found convenient in finishing the table bed to form the rabbets a so that the felt or other covering J can be properly stretched overthe surface, 7

The cloth is first stretched tightly and the securing strip K is then inserted in the tween the frame and the shouldered part of the slabs. It has, however, been found convenient to provide means for retaining these strips K in place and with that in view there has been provided a series of points or projections 7: conveniently in the form of small nails or tacks passing through the strips with their points projecting outward. \Vhile in this position with the strips properly positioned in the rabbets of the slabs the frames-are drawn down tight and the pins enter the frame forming securing means for the strips, thus maintaining the parts in position.

As a playing bed, the construction comprising the surrounding frame represents a unitary structure and onto this may be built up the finish of atable, including proper decorative side parts and supporting leg structures, the proportions of the surrounding frame being sufficient to constitute the frame onto which the substructures or supporting features are secured.

Of course it is to be understood that a substructure may be employedhaving cross braces but the present unitary playing bed,

'rabbet, thus binding tightly the cloth beconvenient to foreshorten slightly the lower tongue at the edge of the slab, as shown in Fig.3, so that during the clamping operation of the parts of the bed, there will be an assurance of a close contact between the upper portions of the bed. It may be here remarked that the wire mesh may be omitted,

if desired, and further, that the general characteristic of the supporting of the bed itself by the clamping and supporting bars F may be embodied in a single or a two part structure. It is to be understood also thatthe cover securing strip maybe glued in place or. otherwise secured, if desired.

When desired the bed. may be provided with a playing surface on both of its sides as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings wherein the lower surface of the bed, as indicated at L, is formed the same as the upper surface shown in the other figures. The construction is otherwise made the same. This arrangement will enable the user to turn the bed over when desired or the manufacturer to so fashion the bed so that other games than that of billiard or pool may be played thereon. In forming the under surface into a playing surface the plate glass preferably employed is pressed forcibly onto the finished strata or coating of cement and.

by this pressure an even playing surface is produced.

Having thus described the invention, what is new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A bed for game playing devices comprising a cement structure having a nonhygroscopic smooth surface part.

2. A bed for playing devices comprising a cement body part having a fine composite surface portion having a moisture rcpellant characteristic.

3. In a playing table surface, the combination with a frame, of a series of composition slabs, means for uniting the slabs and interposed metallic strips between the edges of the slabs at the upper surface thereof.

4. In a playing table surface, the combination with a frame, of a series of coniposition slabs, means for uniting the slabs and interposed metallic strips between the edges of the slabs at the upper surface. thereof, said strips extending around the corners of the slabs. 1

5. :In a playing table surface, the combi-v nation with a supporting frame, ofa-bed comprising a series of composition slabs, each having a series of tubular reinforce:-

ments therein, a surrounding frame, and. bars passing through thetubular reinforce ments and anchored in said surrounding frame.

6.. In a playing table bed, the combinationwith a slab member having a tubularreinforcementextending thereacross, a siml-j.

lar tubularreinforcement extending at an angle thereto and immediately below said other tubular reinforcement, and upporting bars passing through the tubes.

.7. In a bed for playing tables, the combination with a. series ofcomposition slabs, each having alined tubular reinforcements arranged at an angle to each other and in contact at their crossings, substantially as described.

T 8.In a bed for playing devices, the combination with a surrounding frame, of a plurality of slabs, of hollow reinforcing rods arranged in said slabs and uniting and supporting bars passing through the hollow reinforcing rods.

9. In a bed for playing tables, the combination with a playing surface, comprising a series of slabs having their adjacent ends overlapplng, and reinforcing rods arranged in the overlapping ends.

10. A table bed comprising a slab member having a rabbet around its upper edge, a metallic reinforce arranged on the slab edges, a frame member and a cover securing Strip for the rabbet member.

11. In a playing table surface, the combination with a supporting frame, of a bed comprising a series of composition slabs having their adjacent ends overlapping, of transverse reinforcing rods arranged in the overlapping ends, of a tubular reinforcement arranged in each slab, extending thereacross, a similar tubular reinforcement extending at an angle thereto and immediately below said other tubular reinforcement and a supporting bar passing through the tubes.

12. In a playing table, the combination with a slab member having a rabbet at its upperedge, a frame member and a cover securing strip for the rabbet member.

13. In a playing table, the combination with a composite slab member having a rabbet at its upper edge, a frame member and a cover securing strip for the rabbet member.

14. A bed for playing tables comprising a slab rmember having a hollow reinforcing rod arranged therein and a supporting and engaging rod passing through the hollow relnforcing rod.

15. A bed for playing tablescomprising a slab member having hollow reinforcing rods extending longitudinally and transversely therethrough and supporting and connecting rods passing through said hollow reinforcing rods.

16. In a playing table surface, the combination with a frame, of a series of slabs constituting the surface, means for uniting the slabs, and protecting means between the edges of said slabs, substantially as described.

17. In a playing table surface, the combination with a frame, of a series of composition slabs constituting said surface disposed within the frame, means for uniting said slabs and protecting devices interposed between the edges of the slabs at the upper surface thereof, for the purpose described.

18. In a playing table-surface, the combination with a frame, of a surface composed of separable members, and interposed protecting devices located between the edges of said separable members when the same are in an assembled position for the purpose described.

19. In a playing table surface, the combination with a frame, of a plurality of composition slabs, and means passing through said slabs for securing the same together.

20. I11 a playing table surface, the combination with a frame, of a plurality of sections supported by said frame, and means for maintaining said sections together and to the frame comprising a plurality of metallic devices passing through the sections and engaging the frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ai'fix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES HOPKINS ADAMS.

Witnesses:

J. E. LAMB, CALVIN T. MILANS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 6. 

